The delivery problems in the retail sector have worsened again, of all things, in the high-volume pre-Christmas period.
81.6 percent of retailers complained in December that not all goods ordered could be delivered, according to the Ifo Institute's survey published on Wednesday.
In November it was 77.8 percent.
"The retail trade is currently being burdened twice," said the head of the Ifo surveys, Klaus Wohlrabe.
“Retailers cannot offer all products.
And customers are reluctant to shop in view of the high incidences. "
The situation in the retail of electronic household appliances and entertainment electronics is particularly difficult: almost all retailers there are struggling with delivery problems.
It looks similar with the hardware stores.
In the toy retail sector, on the other hand, the situation has eased somewhat.
Nevertheless, 77 percent continue to report missing deliveries there.
"Big disappointment for many dealers"
The industry association HDE actually expected record sales in the current Christmas business. Revenues should increase in November and December together by two percent compared to the same period in the previous year to just under 112 billion euros. Online retailing should be the main driver. After the fourth weekend in Advent, the industry was disappointed with the previous Christmas business. Two thirds of the 1000 respondents are dissatisfied with the way things have gone so far.
"This year's Christmas business is a bitter disappointment for many retailers," said HDE Managing Director Stefan Genth.
"2G has been bothering them for weeks, and that in what is usually the busiest time of year." With the exception of shops for daily needs such as supermarkets and drugstores, only those who have been vaccinated or recovered (2G) are allowed to enter the shops because of the fourth corona wave.
Traditionally, classic gift industries such as the toy trade make more than a fifth of their annual turnover in November and December.